Italy still lags behind most European countries when it comes to LGBTI rights. As the long-awaited bill on civil unions is finally about to be discussed, civil society organizations call for a national manifestation for equal rights for all.

Italy is the only country in Western Europe where same-sex couples still have no legal status and thus lack the most fundamental entitlements. The European Court of Human Rights recognized in the recent Oliari case that the Italian state is violating human rights by not offering adequate legal protection and recognition to same-sex couples.

Political dynamite

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has long promised to pass legislation recognizing civil partnership, but - as the issue remains political dynamite in Italy - efforts to move forward have made little progress since he took office, and continue to face fierce opposition both in and out of Parliament.

In the meantime, other institutional actors have attempted to bring progress despite the persistent state of inertia of the Italian legislature on the point. Some mayors have registered same-sex marriages officiated abroad (which were then sadly cancelled by the Italian State Council), and judges have tried to give some kind of judicial recognition to parental rights for same-sex couples.

It's equal rights o'clock!

Now the much-awaited civil unions bill is finally about to be discussed by the Italian Senate. The proposed law is still far from perfect, but it would represent a first and fundamental step towards the acknowledgement of equal rights for everyone, and therefore the importance of its approval cannot be overstated.

In other words, the moment is topical: it is due time for Italy to wake up and come to grips with LGBTI rights.